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autism definition

☆ au·tism (ô′tiz′əm)

noun

Psychol. a developmental disorder characterized variously by impaired social interaction, difficulties in communicating, problems with seeing and hearing, repetitive behavior, etc.

Etymology: aut(o)- + -ism

Related Forms:

  • autistic au·tis·tic (ô tis′tik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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